Arizona
Arizona Cardinals’ lack of technique leads to sloppy loss to Chiefs
GLENDALE — The Arizona Cardinals walked out of State Farm Stadium last week with a very clean showing behind just four penalties.
For a new coaching staff, it was the icing on the cake of a strong first game, preseason or not.
Fast forward to Saturday’s 38-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, and that number not only grew, it doubled with the Cardinals committing eight penalties for 82 yards.
Of the eight, three were for offensive holding.
“I don’t think it’s lack of focus or lack of discipline, it’s lack of technique,” head coach Jonathan Gannon said postgame. “When you play with bad technique, you get penalized and that’s what happened.
“You obviously have to get that corrected knowing that they kind of go in waves a little bit and sometimes that’s how the crew’s calling it, but we got to play within the rules and typically when you get penalized, it’s for a bad technique.”
About the only positive out of the evening from a penalty standpoint was the fact the team only committed one pre-snap foul in a Marquis Hayes false start.
But while penalties were a reoccurring factor in Arizona’s loss to Kansas City, they weren’t the biggest issue of the night for Gannon and Co.
No, that moniker belongs to the amount of explosive plays the Cardinals allowed.
Arizona was dinged with eight explosive plays of 20 yards or more throughout the evening. It’s a trend that cannot continue in Gannon’s eyes.
“You’re not going to beat anybody like that,” Gannon said. “That’s one of our core principles on defense. Truthfully, that’s what I’m most displeased about.”
Cool like Cooney
After only seeing one punt in last week’s win over the Broncos, Nolan Cooney handled the bulk of the work Saturday night.
And he certainly seized the opportunity, averaging 54.3 yards across four attempts that included a 65-yard boot. Two of the four punts landed inside the 20-yard line.
It’s a step in the right direction for Cooney, who continues to battle with former Arizona State Sun Devil Matt Haack.
Haack was used mostly in Arizona’s preseason opener behind four punts for a 42.3-yard average. This time around, he saw just one attempt in the second half.
After the second week of exhibition action, it’s advantage Cooney.
Feet = wet
A handful of projected Cardinals starters in running back James Conner, wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, offensive lineman D.J. Humphries, safety Budda Baker and linebacker Kyzir White did not see their numbers called in last week’s win.
That all changed Saturday night, though, with all five getting some run in the first quarter of action.
White finished with a pair of tackles and one massive hit. Baker also chipped in a tackle.
Conner meanwhile ran the rock twice for 15 yards while Brown reeled in one catch for 12 more.
Injured Cards
In addition to taking an L on the chin, the Cardinals saw a few players exit the game due to injury.
They include linebacker Dennis Gardeck and cornerbacks Marco Wilson and Kris Boyd.
Per Gannon, Gardeck is dealing with a knee issue, while Boyd injured his ribs. Wilson’s injury was not disclosed.
What’s next?
Gannon will meet with reporters next on Monday before the team travels to Minnesota for a pair of joint practices and a preseason game.
College Football Playoff second-round picks | Before The Snap
Before The Snap takes a close look at the four second-round CFP games and makes straight-up picks.
One spot to the College Football Playoff semifinals has been secured, and three more will follow suit on Wednesday — the first, by way of the Peach Bowl.
Kicking off Wednesday’s triple-header of CFP quarterfinal games is No. 4 Arizona State (11-2) vs. No. 5 Texas (12-2). The teams will kick off from the 2025 Peach Bowl inside Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
It is the first meeting between the Sun Devils and Longhorns since the 2007 Holiday Bowl, in which Texas came out with a 52-34 victory. It is also the first ever CFP game in Arizona State’s program history.
Arizona State received one of the four first-round byes after beating Iowa State in the Big 12 championship game on Dec. 7. Star running back Cam Skattebo finished with 170 rushing yards and three combined touchdowns in the win over the Cyclones.
Elsewhere, Steve Sarkisian’s Longhorns squad had to beat No. 12 Clemson in the first round of the newly expanded CFP to make it to the quarterfinals. In Texas’ 38-24 win over No. 12 Clemson, the Longhorns relied heavily on their run game and offensive line as they finished with 292 total rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns.
The winner of Wednesday’s game will advance to the CFP Cotton Bowl semifinal, where it will play the winner of No. 1 Oregon vs. No. 8 Ohio State on Friday, Jan. 10.
Here’s how to watch Wednesday’s CFP quarterfinal between Arizona State and Texas, including time, TV schedule, game odds and more:
Watch Texas vs. Arizona State in CFP, Peach Bowl live with Fubo (free trial)
What channel is Arizona State vs Texas on today?
Wednesday’s CFP quarterfinal matchup between Arizona State and Texas will be broadcast nationally on ESPN. Streaming options include the ESPN app (with a TV login) and Fubo, the latter of which carries the ESPN family of networks and offers a free trial to new subscribers.
Arizona State vs Texas time today
- Date: Wednesday, Jan. 1
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
The Sun Devils and Longhorns are scheduled to kick off at 1 p.m. ET from Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Wednesday in the CFP quarterfinals.
Arizona State vs Texas predictions, picks, odds
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Tuesday, Dec. 31
- Spread: Texas -13
- Over/under: 51.5
- Moneyline: Texas (-550) | Arizona State (+400)
Here is how national media are picking the game:
Arizona State football schedule 2024
Here’s a look at Arizona State’s schedule in 2024, including past scores and results:
- Saturday, Aug. 31: vs. Wyoming (W 48-7)
- Saturday, Sept. 7: vs. Mississippi State (W, 30-23)
- Thursday, Sept. 12: at Texas State (W, 31-28)
- Saturday, Sept. 21: at Texas Tech * (L, 30-22)
- Saturday, Sept. 28: BYE
- Saturday, Oct. 5: vs. Kansas * (W, 35-31)
- Friday, Oct. 11: vs. No. 16 Utah * (W, 27-19)
- Saturday, Oct. 19: at Cincinnati * (L, 24-14)
- Saturday, Oct. 26: BYE
- Saturday, Nov. 2: at Oklahoma State * (W, 42-21)
- Saturday, Nov. 9: vs. UCF * (W, 35-31)
- Saturday, Nov. 16: at No. 16 Kansas State * (W, 24-14)
- Saturday, Nov. 23: vs. No. 14 BYU * (W, 28-23)
- Saturday, Nov. 30: at Arizona * (W, 49-7)
- Saturday, Dec. 7: No. 16 Iowa State (Big 12 championship) (W, 45-19)
- Wednesday, Jan. 1: vs. No. 5 Texas ** (CFP quarterfinals — Peach Bowl)
- Record: 11-2 overall, 7-2 in Big 12
* Denotes Big 12 game
** Denotes CFP ranking
Texas football schedule 2024
Here’s a look at Texas’ schedule in 2024, including past scores and results:
- Saturday, Aug. 31: vs. Colorado State (W, 52-0)
- Saturday, Sept. 7: at No. 10 Michigan (W, 31-12)
- Saturday, Sept. 14: vs. UTSA (W, 56-7)
- Saturday, Sept. 21: vs. UL Monroe (W, 51-3)
- Saturday, Sept. 28: vs. Mississippi State * (W, 35-13)
- Saturday, Oct. 5: BYE
- Saturday, Oct. 12: vs. No. 18 Oklahoma * (W, 34-3)
- Saturday, Oct. 19: vs. No. 5 Georgia * (L, 30-15)
- Saturday, Oct. 26: at No. 25 Vanderbilt * (W, 27-24)
- Saturday, Nov. 2: BYE
- Saturday, Nov. 9: vs. Florida * (W, 49-17)
- Saturday, Nov. 16: at Arkansas * (W, 20-10)
- Saturday, Nov. 23: vs. Kentucky * (W, 31-14)
- Saturday, Nov. 30: at No. 20 Texas A&M * (W, 17-7)
- Saturday, Dec. 7: vs. No. 5 Georgia (SEC championship) (L, 22-19 OT)
- Saturday, Dec. 21: vs. No. 12 Clemson ** (CFP first-round) (W, 38-24)
- Wednesday, Jan. 1: vs. No. 4 Arizona State ** (CFP quarterfinals — Peach Bowl)
- Record: 12-2 overall, 7-1 in SEC
* Denotes SEC game
** Denotes CFP ranking
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Arizona
Arizona official who delayed county’s 2022 election certification didn’t have immunity, court says
PHOENIX (AP) — An appeals court has rejected an Arizona official’s argument that felony charges against him for delaying certification of his rural county’s 2022 election results should be dismissed because he has legislative immunity.
In an order Tuesday, the Arizona Court of Appeals concluded Cochise County Supervisor Tom Crosby’s duty to certify the election results wasn’t discretionary. The court also said certifying election results is an administrative responsibility and that legislative immunity doesn’t apply to Crosby’s situation.
Crosby and Cochise County Supervisor Peggy Judd, both Republicans, were criminally charged after they balked at certifying the results. Two months ago, Judd pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of failing to perform her duty as an election officer and was sentenced to probation.
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Crosby has pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy and interference with an election officer. His trial is scheduled for Jan. 30.
Dennis Wilenchik, one of Crosby’s lawyers, said his client will ask the state Supreme Court to review the matter. Wilenchik said moving the certification’s date by a few days wasn’t a criminal act and that Crosby should be immunized.
“If it’s just a rubber stamp then why is it (certification) needed at all?” Wilenchik said.
The Cochise County results were ultimately certified past the deadline after a judge ordered Judd and Crosby to carry out their legal duties. Judd and Supervisor Ann English, the board’s lone Democrat, finally approved the canvass, allowing the statewide certification to go forward as scheduled.
Watch The Republic’s coverage of Arizona in 2024
From the Phoenix Open to Election Day, from ‘Gilbert Goon’ violence to ASU’s Big 12 championship, The Republic covered it all in Arizona in 2024.
The Republic
Whether you’re going to a party on New Year’s Eve, hosting one or watching fireworks from home, you’ll probably need to stock up on supplies to celebrate the new year. From a last-minute bottle of champagne to an extra box of sparklers, grocery stores offer a host of New Year’s themed products.
But which Arizona grocery stores are open on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day? Some have their regular hours, while some are closed entirely. To make shopping easier, The Arizona Republic put together a guide to the New Year’s hours of major retailers from Costco to Walmart to Fry’s.
AJ’s Fine Foods New Year’s hours
AJ’s will be open on New Year’s Eve from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. (regular hours). On New Year’s Day, AJ’s will be open 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Aldi New Year’s hours
Aldi grocery stores will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and closed on New Year’s Day.
Bashas’ New Year’s hours
Bashas’ will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. on New Year’s.
Costco New Year’s hours
Costco warehouses will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and closed on New Year’s Day.
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Food City New Year’s hours
Food City locations will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on both Dec. 31 and Jan. 1.
Fry’s New Year’s hours
Fry’s will be open for normal hours on New Year’s Eve and Day.
Sprouts New Year’s hours
Sprouts will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Dec. 31. It will be open regular hours from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on New Year’s Day.
Target New Year’s hours
Target will be open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and open its normal hours on Jan. 1.
Trader Joe’s New Year’s hours
Trader Joe’s will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and closed on New Year’s Day.
Is Walmart open on New Year’s Eve?
Walmart stores will be open for normal hours on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1.
Whole Foods New Year’s hours
Whole Foods will be open 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. on New Year’s Day.
WinCo Foods New Year’s hours
WinCo Foods will be open 24 hours as usual on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1.
Reach the reporter at reia.li@gannett.com. Follow @Reialirui on X.
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